June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Ukraine; Belarus; Moldova; North Korea; Russia; Israel
Jamaica
Jamaica;
What’s the single best thing you can do to rekindle passion with the one you love?
It’s not a gift. It’s not a candlelight dinner (although that’s always nice). It’s a trip. Nearly two-thirds of couples say a weekend getaway is more likely to spark romance than a gift. And 83 percent of people who travel as a couple say the romance is still alive in their relationships, a U.S. Travel Association survey found.i
But what if there’s not a lot of room in your bank account for travel? Is it possible to plan cheap romantic getaways that don’t feel cheap? Absolutely — here’s how!
The cardinal rule of budget travel is you can’t have it all. You can’t get a fabulous boutique hotel and dinner at a fine restaurant and tickets to the hottest show in town. So figure out what would be most meaningful to you and your partner, and opt for a splurge that you can afford.
Just remember to respect your partner’s dealbreakers. Their likes and dislikes should take precedence over saving money. If he’s claustrophobic, don’t book a tiny hotel room. If she’s not the outdoorsy type, don’t plan a camping trip. A romantic weekend is not the time to push someone out of their comfort zone.
When planning a romantic getaway, or any other trip, many couples fall into the same pattern. One’s the planner, and the other is the passive participant. The result, all too often, is that the participant ends up criticizing the planner’s choices, or the planner ends up insists everything be done his or her way.
A healthier — and more romantic! — dynamic can be achieved by planning together. One partner can identify possible accommodations, and the other can research restaurants. Or, you can each pick one day’s activities to plan. This way, you’ll avoid fights over the credit card bill later. “Resentment over how time and money was spent” is the biggest problem couples have when returning from a trip, licensed marriage and family therapist Nicolle Osequeda tells The New York Times.ii
Don’t even think about planning your trip for New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day or another high-demand holiday. Instead, travel mid-week if you can. Beach houses can be super cheap in the off season, as can cabins at ski resorts. If you thrive on spontaneity, try the Hotel Tonight app, which promises low last-minute rates.
Careful timing can help you get great deals on airfare, too. Book flights seven weeks in advance, if possible: “Passengers pay the lowest price, nearly 10 percent below the average fare, if they buy 50 days before their flight, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation.”iii
Some people think that omitting travel insurance is a good way to save money. The truth is, travel insurance is an absolute necessity for budget getaways. That’s because insurance can do two crucial things: reimburse you for your nonrefundable trip costs, if you have to cancel for a covered reason, and cover expensive medical care, if you experience a covered medical emergency overseas.
It’s not hard to find an affordable travel insurance plan that fits your needs. If your main concern is losing your trip investment due to a last-minute cancellation, consider the OneTrip Cancellation Plus Plan. If you don’t have a lot of prepaid trip costs to protect, the OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan provides only post-departure benefits: emergency medical and emergency medical transportation, trip delay, missed connection and lost/stolen or damaged baggage.
The concept of short-term hotel stays has gone from seedy to chic, thanks to Dayuse.com. This French company makes it possible for travelers to rent hotel rooms for the day (10 a.m. until 4 p.m., for instance) for up to 75 percent off. You and your sweetie can enjoy a “daycation” with all the amenities of a high-end hotel: swim in the pool, visit the spa, order room service. It’s the perfect cheap romantic getaway that feels like a luxury.
When you’re making your travel and dining arrangements, tell them it’s a special trip. You may say something like, “We’re thrilled to be spending our anniversary with you. I’m afraid we’re on a tight budget, but if there’s anything you can do to help us celebrate the occasion, we’d really appreciate it.” The hotel concierge may treat you to free glasses of wine or place fresh flowers in your room; your server may bring you tiramisu on the house. Be sure to thank them, both in person and with a positive review.
Many hotels offer “romance packages,” which means placing champagne and strawberries in your room or scattering rose petals on the bed. It sounds nice — but why pay $100 for the privilege when you can do it yourself for $20?
Now, some romantic weekend specials are worth the money — you just have to weigh the costs and benefits. If an inn charges $125 for an upgrade that includes two breakfasts for two, champagne and rose petals, wine tasting tickets and a $50 gift card to a local restaurant, that could be a good deal.
If you desperately need a getaway, but you can’t afford to actually get away, then don’t! Search Airbnb or VRBO for cheap rentals in your area. Browsing in Richmond, Virginia, where Allianz Global Assistance is based, we found several charming private rooms and even entire apartments for under $50. Some were less than $25. Bring groceries and cook a gourmet meal, or pack a lavish picnic basket and bring it to your city’s prettiest park.
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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.
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